Bernard J. Hickert

Bernard J. (B. J.) Hickert

Areas of Practice

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust and Estate Administration
  • Estate and Gift Taxation
  • Probate
  • Business Law

ABOUT B. J.

B. J. Hickert graduated cum laude from Benedictine College in 1977; received his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1980; and obtained an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law in 1995. He has assisted clients with their estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate and gift tax, probate, and business law matters since 1995. In addition, B. J. taught the estate and gift tax course as an Adjunct Professor at Washburn University School of Law and/or Kansas University School of Law for 15 years. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been included in MO/KS Super Lawyers Magazine list of recognized estate planning attorneys for 9 years.

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Kansas and U.S. District Court, District of Kansas (1980)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit (1981)
  • U.S. Tax Court (1997)

EDUCATION

  • LL.M, Taxation – University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 1995
  • JD – University of Kansas School of Law, 1980
  • BA, Cum Laude – Benedictine College, 1977 (Student Government President)

AFFILIATIONS, ACTIVITIES AND HONORS (Past & Present)

Member:

  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (2008-Present)
  • MO/KS Super Lawyers Magazine List (2009-2013, 2020-2023)
  • Midland Care Connection, Inc., Director (2022-Present)
  • Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, Director (2014-2019)
  • The Villages, Inc., Director (2006-2016); Treasurer (2008-2015)
  • Chamber Foundation, Director (2006-2014)
  • Topeka Knife & Fork Club – Director (2005)
  • Northeast Kansas Society of Financial Service Professionals, Director (2003-2005)
  • Leadership Greater Topeka – Class Member (2004)
  • Recipient of Annual Martin Henry Award for Volunteerism (2003)
  • Knights of Columbus, Lawrence, Kansas – Grand Knight (1997-1999)
  • Columbus Homes Association, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas – Director (1992-1997)
  • Admitted to Kansas, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and Tax Courts
  • American, Kansas, and Topeka Bar Associations

Experiences

  • Stevens & Brand, LLP, Topeka, Kansas, Of Counsel (2023-Present)
  • Newbery Ungerer & Hickert, LLP, Topeka, Kansas, Partner/Owner (2001-2023)
  • Kansas University School of Law, Adjunct Professor (2013-2018)
  • Washburn University School of Law, Adjunct Professor (2006-2014)
  • Newbery & Ungerer, Topeka, Kansas, Associate Attorney (1997-2000)
  • Berger & Carmody, P.A., Lawrence, Kansas, Private Practice (1996-1997)
  • Senior Attorney, FDIC/RTC Professional Liability Section, Kansas City (1990-1995)
  • Morrison, Hecker, Curtis, Kuder & Parrish, Wichita, Kansas, Associate/Partner (1983-1989)
  • Gott, Young & Bogle, Wichita, Kansas, Associate Attorney (1980-1983)

Cases

  • Young v. Graves, No. 04-P-51 (Douglas County, Kansas) – Successfully defended trustee.
  • Royd-Sykes v. Dicken, No. 95,053, Decided September 15, 2006 – Successfully asserted claims against trustee.
  • Hiltgen, et al v. Brady, et al., No. 13-109538-A (Kansas Court of Appeals) – Successfully defended claims against trustee.
  • Stephan v. Martin, No. 16-115003-A (Kansas Court of Appeals) – Successfully defended claims against financial power of attorney agent. 

Presentations & Publications

  • Estate & Trust Administration Ethics Issues, Kansas City (2019)
  • Business & Estate Planning After the 2017 Tax Act, Lawrence, Kansas (2018)
  • Estate Planning for the Off-Farm Generation, Topeka and Overland Park, Kansas (2017)
  • Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts, Topeka, Kansas (2016)
  • Estate Planning Update: Implications of Portability, Lawrence, Kansas (2016)
  • ABC’s of Estate Planning: An Estate and Charitable Planning Update, Topeka, Kansas (2015)
  • Will Charitable Trusts Reduce Taxes, Manhattan, Kansas (2015)
  • Farm & Ranch Estate Planning, Topeka, Kansas (2014)
  • Estate Planning: Impact of Portability and Increased Income Tax Rates, Topeka, Kansas (2014)
  • Planned Giving: Maximizing Benefits of Charitable Gifts, Manhattan, Kansas (2014)
  • Estate Taxation and Income Tax Update, Topeka and Lawrence, Kansas (2013)
  • Estate Taxation, Topeka, Kansas (2012)
  • Estate Administration Ethical Issues, Overland Park, Kansas (2012)
  • New Estate Planning Issues and Ideas, Topeka, Kansas (2011)
  • Trust Review Checklist, Topeka, Kansas (2010)
  • Top Ten Gifts, Manhattan, Kansas (2010)
  • Key Provisions of Trust Agreements, Topeka, Kansas (2010)
  • Water Depletion, Topeka, Kansas (2009)
  • Trust Review Checklist, Topeka, Kansas (2008)
  • Non-Probate Transfer Issues, Topeka, Kansas (2007)
  • New Kansas Estate Tax, Topeka, Kansas (2006)
  • Business Transaction Conflicts of Interest, Manhattan, Kansas (2005)
  • New Kansas Trust Statutes, Topeka, Kansas (2005)
  • Kansas Estate Tax, Topeka, Kansas (2005)
  • Trustee Risks and Responsibilities, Lawrence and Topeka, Kansas (2005)
  • Legal Issues Involved in Structuring a Business, Overland Park, Kansas (2003, 2004, 2005)
  • Kansas Trust Course, Wichita and Overland Park, Kansas (2003, 2004, 2005)
  • Planning for Business, Topeka, Kansas (2004)
  • Choice of Entity: Coming of Age, Kansas City, Missouri (2003)
  • Extracting “Captured” Income from C-Corporations, Topeka, Kansas (2002)
  • Kansas Estate Planning Course, Wichita and Overland Park, Kansas (2002)
  • Business Legal and Tax Planning, Topeka, Kansas (2002)
  • Choice of Business Entity, Topeka, Kansas (2001)
  • Long Term Care-A Legal and Financial Analysis, Topeka, Kansas (2001)
  • Key Issues in Estate Planning and Probate, Topeka, Kansas (2000)
  • Family Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies, Topeka, Kansas (2000)
  • Basic Probate Procedures and Practice in Kansas, Topeka, Kansas (1999 & 2000)
  • Setting Up a Small Business, Topeka, Kansas (1999)
  • Kansas Probate: Beyond the Basics, Topeka, Kansas (1999)
  • Planning for Long-Term Care, Wichita, Kansas (1998)
  • Taxation of Repossessed Real Estate, Topeka, Kansas (1998)
  • Family-Owned Business Exclusion, Lawrence, Kansas (1998)
  • “Health Care: A Simple Prescription,” Tax Notes (February 20, 1995)
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